Durgaparameshwari Dashavathara Yakshagana Mela of Mandarthi, one of the famous Yakshagana troupes from Mandarthi in Udupi district, has bookings filled for its ‘harake seve’ till 2041-42. The mela will commence its presentation on November 19 and go on till about May 24.

People, mainly from coastal regions and places, including Shivamogga, Koppa and Sringeri, view yakshagana with all earnestness and devotion. Devotees offer “yakshagana seva’ for fulfilment of their wishes and it is a fine blend of art and spirituality.

The stories and episodes of the Ramayana and Mahabharata are enacted on stage.

A representative from Mandarthi Shree Durgaparameshwari Temple says they get average bookings of about 1,000 every year.

“We can present about 900 performances and hence the remaining bookings are shifted to the next year. Since the last two years, we are presenting Yakshagana performance even during the monsoon. In the first year, only one Mela was involved in the Yakshagana performance, and the number increased to two melas this rainy season. About 150 shows were presented,’ the representative said.

The temple has five melas. One mela has about 42 members, including artists and led by a manager who is also an employee of the temple.

Food for the devotees is arranged in the temple itself. There is a lot of difference from the regular Yakshagana performance offered. The price too varies. Harake seve costs about Rs 33,000 and food on the performance day and breakfast (next day) have to be arranged for the troupe.

Another famous troupe for ‘harake seva’ is attached to the famous Shri Durgaparameshwari Temple Kateel. Dashavathara mela, popular as Kateel mela, was started as an offering to the goddess. Dharmastala mela among others is also gaining prominence. The Kateel mela on an average gets about 800 bookings per year.